Full tanks, empty pumps? CM blames hoarding for chaos, claims no fuel shortages

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that panic buying of fuel is creating an unnecessary situation. REPRESENTATION PIC/ISTOCK

Even as people in several parts of rural Maharashtra are standing in long queues to buy diesel and other fuels, the state government says there is no actual shortage. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that fuel stocks are sufficient, but panic buying and hoarding by some people are creating an unnecessary situation.

The ground reality?

Television footage tells a grim story, with long queues at petrol pumps and ‘No Diesel' boards displayed at many fuel stations across parts of Maharashtra.

Many farmers say they are not getting enough diesel, which is affecting their farming activities as tractors and diesel-powered water pumps are lying idle. Farmers have already been facing one crisis after another over the last year - first heavy rains, then unseasonal showers, and now a shortage of diesel.

Fertiliser supplies hit too

For the past few months, since the escalation of the US-Iran conflict, supplies of fuel and LPG have been affected. However, many people in rural Maharashtra are also complaining about a shortage of fertilisers, adding to the difficulties faced by farmers.

Government says no crisis

Despite the fuel situation on the ground appearing grim, the state government has claimed that it has ample fuel stocks and that the current crisis is not due to any actual shortage. "We have sufficient fuel supply, but panic buying and excessive storage by some people is creating such a situation in some parts," CM Fadnavis said.

Current cost in Mumbai

Petrol
Rs 107.59/ltr

Diesel
Rs 94.08/ltr

CNG
Rs 81/kg